Quasi-genres in the structure of teaching and research discourse: Statement of the problem

The article substantiates the quasi-genre. The quasi-genre is an artificial construct that may productively solve a limited range of research or linguodidactic peoblems. The quasi-genre can be represented by a number of subgenres. The quasi-genre has specific genre-forming features, which are analyzed basing on the model situations used to study the manipulative communicative style. The quasi-genre is artificial and deductive; it contains constant and variable parts, which are incommensurable in volume; it is based on one intention and it correlates with natural communication. The quasi-genre is artificial as it is formed artificially to solve a research/didactic problem, which is realized by both the addresser and the addressee. It is deductive due to the fact that a quasi-genre is produced by a researcher/teacher on the basis of acknowledged, categorized prototypical addresser’s view on the communicative interaction. As for the structure and composition, the quasi-genre has two components: constant (a task) and variable (multiple responses). The constant part tends to the minimum number of verbal manifestations, and the variable part – to the maximum. The deviations are possible, but only within the framework of the designated components. The quasi-genre is based on one intention (to explore/teach), and this intention should be clear to the addressee. Being an artificial construct which correlates with natural communication, the quasi-genre can be suitable for performing limited research/ didactic tasks and/or can be considered an intermediate stage of discourse research or teaching. 

theory of speech genres, natural discourse/artificial discourse, research discourse, quasi-genre, model situation, modeling, experiment, genre-forming parameter